Lake of Stars Malawi Arts Festival

We've not just heard of Lake of Stars Festival, we've been! Reaching the scenic lake side site for Malawi arts festival was a mission, but well worth it. Take it from us, seeing blood-red skies at sunrise whilst listening to live music on a beach in Africa is pure Shangri-la. Noted, a festival in one of the poorest countries in the world is daunting, but don't let it put you off! Malawi is universally dubbed, "The warm heart of Africa", and the people are some of the friendliest in the world. However, standard advice for any festival site - hold on to your belongings! Pick pockets crawl out from under rocks in all corners of the globe.

Tourists gather in the north of the country for a good ol' knees up and are sincerely welcomed by the locals with their strong sense of community. The integration of cultures is inspiriting and a pleasure to be a part of. We got in the spirit and hooked up with Malawi based fashion brand, MAFRIKA for a T-shirt collaboration. Creatively, we shape and influence each other in so many ways; it’s great to see the outcome of this by self-expression through music and clothes. African fabrics have a fantastic ability to vivify any outfit. Colour and pattern play a huge part in the culture, and its unique, lively impact is what we love!

Jammo from My Nu Leng in his MAFRIKA x Recreo T shirt

Local Bristol boys My Nu Leng were on the line up, along with other UK artists: Kidnap Kid, Afriquoi, and Beating heart. Malawian favourites include Faith Mussa, Patience Namadingo, and Sonye; and although the music is paramount, Lake of stars isn't just a music festival -  make sure to listen out for spoken word and poetry, attend creative writing and music workshops, watch featured short films. Broaden your horizons, open yourself up to the creative elements at your fingertips, loose yourself in the music, and kick up the sand in the dance. Of course, the line up isn't full of acts you'll be familiar with, but this is part of the magic! Stay open-minded, embrace the culture, and buckle up for a weekend of discovery. 

Local Malawians Austen and Isiaiah in their festival outfits

Kidnap Kidding repping Recreo during his set at Lake of Stars

Kidnap Kid and Jammo from My Nu Leng

As well as the festival being vibey, it really benefits Malawi and promotes tourism. Malawi tourist volume is nowhere near comparable to somewhere like Spain; so the more people the festival attracts, the more our disposable income (or 'holiday money') contributes to sustaining the community, and will hopefully increase the numbers. In short, it's a really nice way to give! Lake of stars founder, Will Jameson, is a former Brit, ex-club promoter who spent his gap year in Malawi. Now a local resident, he's using his knowledge and skills in the industry to make an encouraging difference. We can gain so much from visiting Africa, really live in the moment, experience, learn and appreciate. We'd definitely recommend visiting rather than just giving donations, if you can. Outreach trips from the festival are also offered, for anyone interested in seeing the surrounded villages. All information can be found on the Lake of Stars website.

Make a holiday out of it - see the world, share love!